Not made it to DU? Life’s not over

The sixth cut-off list for admission to Delhi University colleges is out. If you still haven’t made it to the college or course of your choice, don’t fret. If you are willing to be a little bold, a little adventurous, you’ll find plenty of options in other universities across the country.

The sixth cut-off list for admission to Delhi University colleges is out. If you still haven’t made it to the college or course of your choice, don’t fret. If you are willing to be a little bold, a little adventurous, you’ll find plenty of options in other universities across the country.

Take the case of Akshay Kohli, an alumnus of Delhi Public School, RK Puram. With a best of four score of 94.75% in Class 12, Kohli was hoping to bag a seat in the economics (hons) programme at the prestigious St Stephen’s College or Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). All plans, however, went awry because of a higher cut-off demand. “I wanted to work in the finance and consultancy sector and thus going to these two colleges was high on my agenda. When I didn’t make the cut, I decided to go in for the next best option for studying economics at St Xavier’s, Mumbai,” he says. Once there, he made most of the opportunities to learn through college fests, social initiatives and clubs and societies.

For Yuvesh Khandelwal, who went to one of Punjab Technical University’s colleges in Sangrur to pursue a BTech in electronics and communication, the experience was educative in more ways than one. “We participated in various extra-curricular activities during our stint there and studied well. Engineering as a discipline didn’t look difficult there,” says Khandelwal. He had the option of going for one of the conventional degree courses at Delhi University, but wanted to ‘experiment by studying at another college.’

In 2001, Timothy Sean Rufus, a St Columba’s School alumnus, figured it would be difficult to meet the high cut-offs of DU colleges. He went to Bangalore’s Christ College (now a deemed university), a well-known name in the city. Rufus calls it a God-given opportunity. “It was really about the experience. I was fortunate and blessed to study and have a social life too,” he says.

Relocating to another city for your graduation definitely makes you more confident and mature. Take the example of Karan Paranjpye from DPS who pursued his graduation at Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce. “While studying in Pune I learnt to take responsibility for myself and my actions and decisions. Had I studied in my hometown Delhi I would not have learnt so much about personal management. Plus being in a city away from home makes a person actively seek new people and friendships.

Needless to say, this translates to overall learning and growth,”he says.

Valued experiences

St Xavier’s MumbaiProgrammes: BA; BSc; BCom; BMS; BMM; BSc (IT)What I like about my college: “The degree at St Xavier’s had a focus on liberal arts where we could study subjects like political science, psychology and economics together,” says Akshay Kohli

What I like about my college: “College life taught me to make best out of every opportunity that comes my way, be it academics or co-curricular,” says Yuvesh Khandelwal.

Christ University (deemed), Bangalore

Programmes: BA, BCom, BTech, BBM, BBA, BHM, BA LLB, BSc, BCA, BCom (hons), to name a few What I like about my college: “Christ College has really created a name for itself. It is now in the league of the best colleges in the city which include Jyoti Nivas, Mt Carmel, and St Joseph’s,” says Timothy Sean Rufus.

Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune

Programmmes: BA, BComWhat I like about my college: “There are no stereotypes in my college. The class toppers were nowhere close to the proverbial bookworms. They were happening in the social circuit and bright in academics,” says Karan Paranjpye.